Liquorice Piercer
VU

Liquorice Piercer

Grapholita pallifrontana

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapholita_pallifrontana

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Liquorice Piercer faces severe pressure from the decline of its host plant, wild liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), due to agricultural conversion and overgrazing in Mediterranean grasslands. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns essential for liquorice growth, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations. The species' specialized feeding relationship with liquorice makes it particularly vulnerable to any reduction in host plant availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

This moth inhabits Mediterranean grasslands and scrublands where its host plant, wild liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), grows naturally. It requires areas with sufficient moisture and appropriate soil conditions that support healthy liquorice populations.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Liquorice Piercer classified as Vulnerable?
Liquorice Piercer is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Liquorice Piercer faces severe pressure from the decline of its host plant, wild liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), due to agricultural conversion and overgrazing in Mediterranean grasslands. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns essential for liquorice growth, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations. The species' specialized feeding relationship with liquorice makes it particularly vulnerable to any reduction in host plant availability.
Where does Liquorice Piercer live?
Liquorice Piercer occurs in Austria, Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, France, and Germany (plus 14 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Liquorice Piercer?
The main threats to Liquorice Piercer are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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